Bombardes Francaises de la Mediterranee
DESCRIPTION: This small, highly-detailed copperplate engraving by the French artist Jean-Jerome Baugean published circa 1814 details two French bombardes (or bomb-vessels) at sea. A bombarde relied on mortars mounted near the bow with high elevation to lob exploding shells down on the enemy. Early French bomb-vessels had two mortars placed side-by-side in the bow that were aimed while at anchor by pulling in or letting out a spring anchor. The heavy armament explains the wide and somewhat barge-like bow depicted in this engraving. The extra width would have been needed to support the weight of the mortars.
This engraving is from a series of 72 fine engravings of merchant and naval vessels created and engraved by Baugean (1764-1830) in the series: "Collection de Toutes les Especes de Batimens de Guerre et de Batimens Marchard." Baugeans engravings are notable for their accurate and detailed depictions of ship construction and rigging.
TITLE: Bombardes Francaises de la Mediterranee
BODY OF WATER:
CONDITION: Very Good.
Essentially flawless on creamy wove paper with a prominent platemark and wide margins.
COLORING: None
ENGRAVER: Baugean
SIZE: 8
" x
5
"
PRICE: $175
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